[aimo]

Hi Bros,

I have a dilemma on purchase the lens for my D80, please help!
Budget $10000-12000

Option 1
N17-55 DX F2.8
Good: F2.8, useful focal length, cover 80% of usage
Bad: DX

Option 2
N24-85 F2.8-4 Marco + S12-24 F4.5-5.6
Good: FX lens, 2 lens covers wide to standard focal length
Bad: have to change lens frequently

Option 3
N17-35 F2.8
Good: Standard Zoom in DX and Ultra-wide in FX, cover 65% of usage
Bad: lost range from 35-70

Option 4
Keep own lens
S50 1.4 + N18-70 + N70-300VR
Good: Save money to travel

Photo purpose:
Travel + Snap + Family gathering (indoor/outdoor)

Thanks for your opinion!

PS. I will upgrade to FX once the D700 successor in the market

Below is my usage of focal lenght with my existing gear.
Focal Usage
Lenght
(mm) (%)
18 18.71
19 8.21
20 2.65
27 28.64
34 7.32
40 4.5
47 4.55
53 6.34
60 2.35
67 0.57
73 8.57
Others 7.59

Existing Gear Usage (%)
D80 100%
N18-70 85%
N70-300 VR 10%
S50 1.4 5%

[ssannwong]

If you are going to upgrade to FX, don't buy DX lenses.

No need to cover every Focal length, you can adjust it by positioning yourself

Opt 1 not good with DX lens

Opt 2 looks good. You may not buy the N24-85 at once until you buy the FX DSLR, so that you have time to keep money for FX DSLR.

Opt 3 also is OK. For me I may like to have N16-35/4.0 VR instead of N17-35/2.8

Opt 4 is good idea. If you don't care about FX until you buy the FX body.

[B and H]

Option 4 with my mod: N12-24 + N24-85 + N70-300VR ^_^

[aimo]

Thanks for your reply!

To ssannwong,
What is the reason to support N16-35/4.0 VR?
1mm wider? VR?

but N17-35 has F2.8 which better in dark area

To B and H,
N12-24 is DX lens which is not good for FX in future

[tkoalbert]

Option 4
Keep own lens
S50 1.4 + N18-70 + N70-300VR
Good: Save money to travel

I suggest.

[B and H]

Yes, I am wrong. 12-24 should be DX. >_<

[B and H]

If this is you photo purpose:
Travel + Snap + Family gathering (indoor/outdoor)

IMHO, I think
N24-85 F2.8-4 Marco + N70-300VR
should be sufficent.

^_^

[aimo]

it will lost the wide angle for landscape in travelling.

now N17-55 is out as DX lens

Three options now,
2) N24-85 + S12-24
3) N17-35
4) Not buy anything

Let's vote!

Thanks Bros!

[ssannwong]

compare to 17-35/2.8. 16-35/4.0 VR is weight lighter

sharper - Lab report shown

VR II will help you in dark area more than 2-3 stops. F/2.8 only get one stop faster than F/4.0.

I don't think 1mm wider is an advantage on 16-35/4.0 VR. Its distortion on widest zoom is horrible.

Of course, there is Nano coation on the 16-35/4.0 VR. Although I think it is not big deal ^^

[kelvinolph]

Re: B and H Ching
S12-24 F4.5-5.6 is FF

By the way, I think N24-85 + S12-24 is a good way to go.

[B and H]

S12-24 F4.5-5.6 is FF ---> Yes.

But I am saying N12-24 >_< DX

N24-85 + S12-24 ----> no tele >_<

However, it depends on your photo habit, I usually bring 12-24, 24-70, 70-300 during travel, it come up that I use 12-24 the least. On the other hand, Snap + Family gathering (indoor/outdoor), do not recommend to use wide angle. Therefore I recommend

N24-85 + N70-300VR

Of course,

S12-24 + N24-85 + N70-300 is a good combination, IMHO.

[aimo]

Thanks all Bros,

Actually I have N70-300 VR
I want to get a larger aperture lens for zoom for my existing D80
This is reason for option 2 and 3.
2) 24-85 F2.8-4
3) 17-35 F2.8

In case of option 2), I need another wide angle lens to cover under 24 mm
then I choose S12-24 as it is a FF lens.
New gear with option 2 would be:
S12-24, N24-85, S50 1.4 and N70-300VR

In case of option 3), it covers my existing 65% usage (base on my previous photo taken)
New gear with option 3 would be:
N17-35, S50 1.4 and N70-300VR

As the $ spent would be similar....
I am poor guy and don't want to waste any $.
Therefore I want more people would give me advise lor

Last Question!!
Which combination is better in term of a) photo quality and b) weight to carry?

Anyway thanks again!

[B and H]

I prefer option 2 ^_^ as option 3 will loss the range which, I think, use the most. >_<

Photo quality ----> do you ususlly use a 放大鏡 to see the photo? If not, don't need to care about this. A good photo, IMHO, photo techique is more important than lens, of course, it is better to have both.

[ssannwong]

If you must spend money, I like opt 2 also. I will like to buy S12-24 first with your S50 1.4 + N18-70 + N70-300VR comination. Keep money until you buy a FX DSLR. Then you can buy 24-85/2.8-4.0 to change away the N18-70.

I had a N18-35/3.5-4.5 also. Not useful as the 18-55 VR on DX DSLR. I kept it only because I want to buy a cheap nikon Film SLR like F80 or F75.

Trust me. FX wide zoom is not that useful on DX DSLR. Unless it is wide enough as N14-24/2.8 or S12-24.

So paying $8K-$9K for buying 17-35/2.8 exchange the N18-70, I think it is not a good opt. Unless you can afford the FX DSLR very soon.